Automation Technician (All Crews/All PGT Plants)

First Solar, Inc.; Perrysburg (OH); On-site; USD 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

First Solar, Inc. is seeking an entry level Automation Technician I to support manufacturing operations, assist with equipment startup, PLC/HMI programming, and troubleshoot/optimize control systems. Expect assignment to AM or PM shifts on a rotating 36/48 hour week, including every other Fri–Sun.

Strong reading of schematics and safety awareness are essential. Ideal candidate has 2+ years in manufacturing controls or an relevant degree; preferred Electrical/Robotics/Industrial

Qualifications

• Entry level automation controls position supporting manufacturing operations.
• Requires ability to interpret data and troubleshoot processes.
• Experience reading electrical/mechanical drawings and suggesting modifications.
• Familiarity with manufacturing safety requirements.

Responsibilities

• Support manufacturing facilities, including remote support to worldwide sites.
• Troubleshoot, repair, and maintain electrical control systems on equipment.
• Assist with installation and MES integration of new equipment.
• Maintain and update electrical drawings; track equipment changes.
• Implement software changes as directed by Controls Engineering.
• Identify and document control problem solutions and continuous improvements.
• Interface with multiple departments and communicate effectively.
• Uphold safety procedures and housekeeping standards.
• Document hazard and risk analyses as required.

Skills

PLC programming

HMI programming

AutoCAD drafting

Rockwell Automation Logix

FactoryTalk View ME

Proface HMI

Control networks expertise

Robotics basics

Electrical troubleshooting

Electrical schematics reading

Networking (Ethernet, Profibus, Device

Education

Associate/Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Robotics, Industrial Controls, or Electronic Engineering (preferred)

No Degree - 5+ years verifiable related experience

Tools

Autodesk AutoCAD

Rockwell Automation Logix PLCs

FactoryTalk View ME

Proface HMI

ControlNet

DeviceNet

Profibus

Ethernet

SQL databases

Job description

Job Title: Automation Technician I - Manufacturing Sustaining

Reports To: Controls Engineering Manager - Sustaining

Job Status: Non-Exempt

First Solar reserves the right to offer you a role most applicable to your experience and skillset.

Basic Job Functions:

The following is an entry level Automation Technician controls position where a successful candidate will be required to support manufacturing operations, assist with equipment implementation/startup, PLC/HMI programming, and trouble-shooting/optimization of manufacturing processes control systems. This position directly supports a manufacturing site, the successful candidate will be assigned to a manufacturing schedule on either AM or PM crew/shift. AM shift is 6:00AM - 6:10PM. PM shift is 6:00PM - 6:10AM. This results in a rotating 36/48 hour work week schedule, which includes working every other Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Education/Experience:

• Minimum 2 years of manufacturing equipment electrical/electronic/controls experience.
• Associate/Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Robotics, Industrial Controls, or Electronic Engineering (preferred)
• No Degree - Must have 5+ years verifiable experience in a related field, (i.e., Semiconductors, Automotive etc.).

Required Skills/Competencies:

• Ability to work independently, manage multiple tasks and set priorities.
• Ability to interpret data and make reasonable conclusions to assist in trouble-shooting process.
• Good understanding/knowledge of reading electrical/mechanical drawings and suggest modifications as required.
• Good understanding/knowledge of manufacturing processes and safety requirements.
• Demonstrated proficiency and problem solving ability to trouble-shoot electrical/electronic control systems in manufacturing environment.
• Competent in Autodesk AutoCAD drafting software to create electrical schematic and panel layouts.
• Good understanding/knowledge programming/trouble-shooting of Rockwell Automation Logix platform PLC's.
• Good understanding/knowledge programming/trouble-shooting Rockwell Automation Human Machine Interfaces (HMI) utilizing FactoryTalk View ME; Proface HMI experience a plus.
• Good understanding trouble-shooting at least two control network including ControlNet, DeviceNet, Profibus and/or Ethernet.
• Basic understanding/knowledge of robotic systems including trouble-shooting, programming, safety.
• Good understanding of computer hardware/applications and the Microsoft Office family.
• Basic understanding of corporate Ethernet architectures and systems.
• Proficient communications skills both verbal and written.
• Basic understanding of SQL Database tables/queries.
• Basic understanding of data collection processes and OPC protocols.

Essential Responsibilities:

Primary Responsibilities:

• Responsible for support of manufacturing facilities, including remote support of world-wide manufacturing facilities.
• Responsible to troubleshoot, repair, problem-solve, and maintain all electrical control systems for manufacturing equipment.
• Responsible to assist with coordination of new equipment installation and implementation; including of MES integration events.
• Responsible for maintaining and updating of manufacturing process tool electrical drawings, ensuring the tracking of equipment changes is documented and drawings are kept current.
• Responsible to implement new software changes/upgrades specified by the Controls Engineering Department
• Responsible to identify, research, document and present solutions to control problems and continuous improvement projects
• Responsible to interface with multiple departments within the organization.
• Maintain effective communications levels and fosters team building.
• Ensures adherence to all safety procedures and good housekeeping standards.

Key Competencies:

• Takes responsibility for understanding client requirements, collecting data, delivering analysis and problem resolution. Identifies, evaluates and recommend options, implementing if required. Collaborates with, and facilitates stakeholder groups, as part of formal or informal consultancy agreements. Seeks to fully address client needs, enhancing the capabilities and effectiveness of client personnel, by ensuring that proposed solutions are properly understood and appropriately exploited.
• Maintains awareness of opportunities provided by new technology to address challenges or to enable new ways of working. Within own sphere of influence, works to further organizational goals, by the use of emerging technologies and products. Contributes to briefings and presentations about their relevance and potential value to the organization.
• Assists with the collection of safety assurance evidence, undertaking all work in accordance with agreed safety, technical and quality standards, using appropriate methods and tools. Documents the results of hazard and risk analysis activities.
• Investigates and recommend components and subsystems that meet sustainability criteria.
• Performs, analyzes and documents evaluations according to a plan, excluding expert reviews.
• Configures software and equipment and tests platform-specific versions of one or more software products. Reports the outcome of testing and identifies potential improvements to the process and to the software products according to agreed designs and standards.
• Uses system management software and tools to collect agreed performance statistics. Carries out agreed system software maintenance tasks.
• Identifies and resolve issues with applications, following agreed procedures. Uses application management software and tools to collect agreed performance statistics. Carries out agreed applications maintenance tasks.
• Carries out agreed operational procedures of a routine nature. Contributes to maintenance, installation, and problem resolution.
• Identifies and resolve network problems following agreed procedures. Uses network management software and tools to collect agreed performance statistics. Carries out agreed network maintenance tasks.
• Initiates and monitors actions to investigate and resolve problems in systems and services. Assists with the implementation of agreed remedies and preventative measures.
• Receives and handles requests for support following agreed procedures. Responds to requests for support by providing information to enable incident resolution and promptly allocates unresolved calls as appropriate. Maintains records and advises relevant persons of actions taken.

• Other duties as assigned.
• Job description subject to change at any time.